Snowflake Sweethearts

by Turansky, Carrie

  A Home For Christmas

  Bringing her daughter to the one place she feels safe, single mother Annie Romano returns to Fairhaven, Washington. Though hoping to start a new life as a personal chef, Annie accepts a different job. Alex Jameson, the handsome man she secretly loved as a teenager, needs a live-in caregiver for his ailing grandmother. A big-city workaholic in town temporarily, Alex doesn’t seem to realize how much he needs family—or love. But the holiday season, his grandmother’s matchmaking friends and one fatherless little girl start pulling at both Annie’s and Alex’s heartstrings. Just in time for the most special Christmas ever.

  “Annie, I have something I want to ask you.”

  She looked up, surprised by Alex’s serious tone. “Sure. What is it?”

  “My grandmother needs someone to live with her when she comes home, until she recovers.”

  She thought about that for a moment, then slowly shook her head. “I’m sorry, Alex. I’d love to stay with Irene, but I have a business to run and a daughter to support.”

  His eyebrows rose. “A daughter?”

  Her stomach clenched. She’d thought he knew about Emma. But how would he? She was just a former employee who got on the wrong track and found herself in a whole lot of trouble.

  Slipping her hands into her jacket pockets, she pushed those painful thoughts away. It didn’t matter now. She’d made her choices and she had to live with them.

  She looked up and met his curious gaze. “Yes, I have a five-year-old daughter, Emma.”

  There was so much more to the story, but she wasn’t sure if he wanted to hear it—or if she had the courage to tell him.

  Books by Carrie Turansky

  Love Inspired

  Along Came Love

  Seeking His Love

  A Man to Trust

  Snowflake Sweethearts

  CARRIE TURANSKY

  is an award-winning author of ten novels and novellas. She has been a finalist for an Inspirational Readers’ Choice Award and an ACFW Genesis Award and winner of an ACFW Carol Award and Crystal Globe Award. Carrie writes contemporary and historical romance for Barbour Publishing and Love Inspired Books. She lives in central New Jersey with her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, author, speaker and counselor. They have five young adult children and three grandchildren. Carrie leads women’s ministry at her church, and when she is not writing she enjoys gardening, reading, flower arranging and cooking for friends and family. Her website is www.carrieturansky.com.

  Carrie Turansky

  Snowflake Sweethearts

  Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which

  binds them all together in perfect unity.

  —Colossians 3:13, 14

  To Grace, Jenn, Terry and Judy,

  who encourage me with their caring friendship. May the love you give be multiplied back to you!

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader

  Questions for Discussion

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  Annie Romano tucked the loose end of her red wool scarf into the front of her jacket and snuggled down into the soft lining. Puffing out a breath, she tried to warm her chilly face as she waited at the corner of Eleventh and Harris in the historic district of Fairhaven, Washington. A brisk, early-November breeze blew up the hill, carrying the fresh, salty scent of Bellingham Bay.

  Clenching her hands in her pockets, she gazed across the street at Jameson’s Bakery and lifted a silent prayer. Please, God, help me find a job. Not just for my sake, but also for Emma’s.

  With her stomach knotting in a tight ball, she stepped off the curb and crossed the street. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see Irene Jameson, or that she was afraid to ask her for a job. The sweet, elderly owner of Jameson’s Bakery had always treated her kindly. But seven years had passed since Annie left Fairhaven, and her life had taken some drastic turns since then.

  What would Irene say about Annie’s daughter, Emma?

  A powerful mixture of love and guilt rose and battled in her heart, but love won. She pressed the guilt deeper away to deal with another time.

  Straightening her shoulders, she pushed open the front door. A bell jingled overhead. The delicious scent of cinnamon and freshly baked bread filled the air. Her mouth watered, and sweet memories came flooding back.

  It wasn’t just Irene’s kindness or the tempting bakery treats that had kept her working at Jameson’s when she was a teenager. She’d had a huge crush on Irene’s grandson, Alex, who also worked there. But Alex had left for college when she was only fifteen, long before she had the courage to tell him how she felt.

  Regret burned her throat. She wished now that she’d made more of an effort to stay in touch with Alex and Irene. But when she’d left Fairhaven after high school, she hadn’t thought she would ever come back.

  Muted conversation drifted from the bakery kitchen. “Be right there,” Irene called, then stepped through the doorway wearing her familiar smile. “Good morning.” Her eyes widened and she gasped. “Annie? Is that really you?”

  Annie smiled and nodded. “Hi, Irene.”

  The plump owner of Jameson’s walked with a halting sway as she came around the end of the bakery case and enveloped Annie in a warm, fleshy hug. “Oh, it’s so wonderful to see you.”

  “Good to see you, too.”

  Irene stepped back. “My goodness, just look at you. You’re lovely.”

  Annie blushed and shook her head. Contacts had replaced her glasses, and her smile was free of braces, but she’d never classify herself as lovely.

  “Oh, I’m so glad you didn’t cut off all those gorgeous curls.” Irene reached out and touched a strand of Annie’s hair.

  “I threaten to at least once a week.”

  “Well, don’t you dare!” Irene motioned toward one of the four small tables lined up by the front windows. “Can I get you a cup of coffee? How about an apple fritter? I remember those were always your favorite.”

  “No, thanks.” Annie didn’t have any money to spare, though the thought of those melt-in-your-mouth treats made her empty stomach quiver.

  Irene tipped her head, and her double chin sagged to the left. “Are you sure, honey?” She pulled a paper napkin from her apron pocket and swiped at her glistening nose and cheeks. “We’ve got some fresh pumpkin muffins or blueberry cake doughnuts if you’d rather have one of those.” Her hand shook slightly as she tucked the napkin away.

  “No. I’m okay.” But Annie wondered if the same was true of her friend. She looked heavier and had aged quite a bit since she’d seen her last.

  “Let’s sit down.” Irene pulled out a chair and lowered herself into it with a heavy sigh. “My poor old knees are complain
ing today.” She smiled across the table, but it didn’t erase the weary lines around her eyes and mouth. “How have you been, Annie? It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. Are you back in town to visit friends?”

  “Actually, I moved back to Fairhaven a couple months ago. I wanted to get settled in time for my daughter, Emma, to start kindergarten.”

  Irene’s eyebrows rose, but her smile didn’t falter. “Oh, that’s wonderful. I didn’t realize she was already five. Do you have a picture of her?”

  Annie’s heart lifted. She should’ve known Irene would be as warm and caring as she’d always been. She took a photo of Emma from her purse and handed it to Irene. “That was taken at our church’s Fourth of July picnic in Portland, before we moved up here.”

  “Oh, she’s beautiful. She looks just like you with those big brown eyes and dark curls.”

  “Thanks.” Annie tucked the photo back in her purse. “I want Emma to grow up here in Fairhaven, where it’s safe and she’ll get a good education.”

  “Of course you do. I’m sure you’re a wonderful mother.”

  Annie shifted in her chair. She needed to get to the point of her visit. “I worked my way through culinary school in Portland, and I’ve started my own business here in Fairhaven as a personal chef.”

  “Oh, that’s great. You always were creative in the kitchen. How’s it going?”

  “I have a few clients, but not enough to support us. I need to find a part-time job.” She hesitated, hoping Irene would understand where she was going, but the older lady simply nodded and waited for her to continue.

  “So...I was wondering if you need any help here at the bakery.”

  Irene’s smile faltered. “Oh, honey, I’d love to hire you again.” She glanced toward the kitchen and lowered her voice. “But the truth is, business has been pretty slow. I’m barely able to pay Harry, and I had to cut back on Janelle’s and Clyde’s hours. I’m sorry.”

  Annie’s hopes deflated, but she forced a small smile. “It’s all right. I’m sure I’ll find something.”

  “Of course you will. You’re a good worker. I’d hire you in a minute if I could.” Her smile returned. “Say, why don’t you put me down as a reference? I’ll give a glowing report to anyone who calls.”

  Annie forced a smile. “Thanks, I’d appreciate that.” But she had few other connections in Fairhaven and no idea who else might hire her.

  Irene patted her hand with cool, clammy fingers. “Now, don’t worry. Just pray and trust the Lord, and something will work out. You’ll see.” She glanced toward the kitchen again. “Why don’t I tell Harry you’re here? I’m sure he’ll want to come out and say hello.” She rose and stepped away from the table, then swayed slightly. Her hands shot out as if she was trying to regain her balance.

  Annie’s heart lurched. “Irene, are you all right?”

  Irene lifted a trembling hand to her forehead. “I’m sure I’ll be fine...in a minute.” But her face had gone pasty pale, and her eyes fluttered as she searched the room.

  Annie jumped up and reached for her friend. “Irene, what is it? What’s wrong?”

  “Oh...Annie.” Irene grimaced and clutched her apron over her chest. Her eyes widened and anguish flashed across her face, then she crumpled.

  “Irene!” Annie lunged to catch her before she hit the floor. Adrenaline shot through her as she grasped Irene’s shoulders and lifted her head. “Harry! Harry, come quick!”

  “What’s going on?” The old baker hustled through the kitchen doorway, spotted Annie and Irene on the floor, and gasped.

  “Call 9-1-1! Hurry!” Annie’s stomach roiled as she searched Irene’s pale face. Oh, God, please have mercy.

  * * *

  Alex Jameson strode through the main entrance of St. Joseph’s Medical Center and headed for the front desk. “Can you tell me the room number for Irene Jameson?”

  The elderly woman behind the desk pushed her silver-rimmed glasses up her nose then slowly tapped the computer keys. A few seconds passed before she finally looked up. “She’s not listed.”

  A huge fist lodged in his throat. Was he too late? No, he couldn’t be. “I’m sure she’s here. I just spoke to the nurse about two hours ago when I landed in Seattle.”

  The woman sniffed and looked down at her computer again. “How do you spell that?”

  “J-A-M-E-S-O-N.” Alex clenched his jaw and prepared to vault over the desk if she didn’t hurry up and give him his grandmother’s room number.

  She stared at the computer for a few more seconds. “Here it is. She’s in the Cardiac Care Unit, room 417. The elevator is just...”

  He charged down the hall without waiting for the rest of her directions. He didn’t like to be rude, especially to elderly women, but he had to find his grandmother and make sure she was all right.

  He punched the up button and glared at the unmoving numbers above the elevator doors. Maybe he should take the stairs. But the elevator slid open, and he hustled in and punched the fourth-floor button.

  Closing his eyes, he tried to slow his breathing and calm down. He had to prepare himself to see his grandmother. The nurse he’d spoken to said she’d had a heart attack. They weren’t sure how much damage it had done. They were still running tests.

  At least it had happened at the bakery when there were people around to help. What if she had collapsed at home when she was alone? If that had been the case, he would have gotten a very different kind of phone call.

  He gritted his teeth and pushed that terrible thought away. Everything was going to be all right. This hospital had a great reputation. They would give his grandmother the best care possible. He’d make sure of it.

  His thoughts rushed back to that morning and the frantic phone call he’d received from his old friend Annie Romano. It was strange that she had been the one to call. He thought she’d left Fairhaven after she graduated from high school. Apparently she’d come back.

  His thoughts jumped back to the call. Hearing the ambulance siren wail in the background as Annie hurried through the story had shaken him to the core.

  He could not lose his grandmother. She had raised him since he was twelve and seen him through the most difficult years of his life. She was the only family he had left.

  The elevator doors opened on the fourth floor, and he hustled down the hall, scanning the room numbers as he went. The scent of hospital antiseptic lingered in the air, along with what smelled like meat loaf. He glanced at an uncovered dinner tray on the meal cart, and his empty stomach contracted. He hadn’t eaten since breakfast.

  “Alex?” a female voice called.

  He turned, and his breath snagged in his throat. Annie Romano walked toward him...at least he thought it was Annie. She looked so different, he wasn’t quite sure. But the long black curls cascading over her shoulders in shiny dark tendrils were the same.

  “Hi, Annie.” He gave her a brief hug. The comforting scent of brown sugar and vanilla floated around her. “Thanks for calling me.”

  “Of course.”

  He stepped back and glanced down the hall. “How’s my grandmother?”

  Annie followed his gaze. “They brought her upstairs from the E.R. a couple hours ago, but she was barely settled before they sent her off for another test.”

  That didn’t sound good. Why were they still doing tests? He’d hoped she would be resting in her room and he could see her right away. He frowned and looked down the hall toward the nurses’ station.

  Annie gently touched his arm. “The nurse said she’s stable and responding well to the medications. I think she’s going to be all right.” Unmistakable compassion filled her dark brown eyes.

  Suddenly his throat felt too tight to speak. He nodded and quickly looked away.

  Annie set her foam coffee cup on the end table in the visitors’ loung
e. “I haven’t spoken to any of her doctors, but the nurses have been great.”

  He watched her, still taking in the changes in her appearance. People had teased her about being tall and slim when she was younger. She’d even been nicknamed Grasshopper. But that description certainly didn’t fit anymore. Her navy jeans and red turtleneck couldn’t hide her attractive figure.

  He blew out a deep breath. Enough gawking already.

  Annie pointed to her cup. “Would you like some coffee?”

  The thought and aroma made his mouth water. “No, that’s all right. You go ahead.”

  “Please.” She smiled. “I didn’t drink any yet.” She reached for the cup and held it out to him.

  “Okay. Thanks.” He took a sip and let the warm drink soothe his tense nerves.

  He heard approaching voices and glanced over his shoulder. Hannah Bodine, Marian Chandler and Barb Gunderson, three of his grandmother’s closest friends, hurried toward them.

  “Oh, Alex, I’m so glad you’re here.” Tears glistened in Hannah’s eyes as she reached to hug him.

  “Thanks, Hannah.”

  “As soon as Harry called and told me what happened, I called all the Treasures.” Barb nodded toward Marian and Hannah.

  Marian Chandler, owner of Bayside Books, clasped his hand. “We’ve all been praying. I know God’s going to answer those prayers.”

  His grandmother and her three elderly friends were as close as sisters and affectionately known around town as the Bayside Treasures. For years they’d been meeting each week at Bayside Books to play Scrabble, share the latest news, and pray for friends and family.

  “We couldn’t just sit at home and wait for news,” Barb said. “So I picked up the girls and we came over around noon.”

  “We’ve been here ever since, but we just took a little dinner break,” Marian said, her pale face lined with concern.

  Alex nodded. “I appreciate you coming, and I know Gram will, too.”

  “There’s got to be something we can do besides just sit in the waiting room,” Hannah said, getting teary-eyed again.